The Surprising Trick for Cooking Perfectly Crispy Bacon Without Spatters

Life motto: You can never have too much bacon. But man, cooking it is a huge mess. That’s why we were excited to hear about a technique that completely eliminates bacon spatters and makes perfectly crispy slices.

The trick: Water. Yep. Pour just enough water over your slices in the skillet so they’re submerged. Then, crank the heat up to high. When the water boils, turn the heat down to medium. The H20 will completely evaporate, leaving behind perfectly crispy yet succulent—not brittle—results. And a way cleaner stove.

Why does it work, though? Simmering water keeps the initial cooking temperature low, so the meat keeps its tenderness. By the time the water boils away, most of the fat has rendered—so you’re less likely to burn the bacon and the grease won’t spatter. #Science.